Chapter X with Michael Kay Michael F Kay

Ever had a friend recommend a book that completely captivated you? That's exactly what happened to me. My friend Bob suggested this book written by a college acquaintance of his, and I decided to grab a copy. Little did I know, it would be one of those extraordinary reads.
 
As I flipped through the pages, I found myself really connecting with the importance of the author's words. I knew I had to track down David Chernikoff’s email and invite him to join me for a conversation.
 
David is a meditation teacher, spiritual counselor, and writer who taught psychology and meditation at Naropa University for many years. He currently teaches retreats throughout the United States and is one of the guiding teachers of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado. 

And his latest book, Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age, is truly eye-opening. It's a roadmap to finding fulfillment and happiness, regardless of where you find yourself on life's journey.
 
How a life-changing event at age 13 molded David's adult years
The pressure to succeed and how it affects our self worth
Redefining your self-worth beyond achievements in middle age
The concept of living on two levels: the relative and the absolute
7 keys to awakening with purpose and joy as you age
Why David decided to write a book as he approached 70
 
Connect with David Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age 
www.davidchernikoff.com 
David's Upcoming Event Schedule

In 2015, Brian Feutz began feeling the tug towards retirement. He went headfirst into a journey of discovery, diving into the ins and outs of retirement planning, wondering what the future held, and whether he was financially ready for it all.
 
He's not just navigated through the transition to retirement, but he's crafted a life filled with meaning and purpose, and I have no doubt you'll find his story truly inspirational.
 
Brian is a top writer, speaker, columnist, and published author with a unique style that brings a lively perspective to the art of retirement. Whether you’re retired or considering retirement, you don’t want to miss his thought-provoking ideas that challenge the imagination. 
 
When he's not sharing his wisdom, you can often find Brian enjoying the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands alongside his wife, whether it's on a boat, trail, bicycle, or kayak.
 
In this episode, we’ll explore:
 
How Brian crafted a encore career through his extensive research on retirement


The one simple sentence Brian uses to define retirement


What led Brian and his wife to choose the San Juan Islands as their retirement spot


Why Brian decided to “practice” retirement on his own—and the steps he took
 
The reason why roughly 40% of people who retire go back to work temporarily
 
One ongoing project that is making Brian’s retirement purposeful
 
The way Brian applied perseverance to this hobby to discover a sense of purpose
  Resources Read Brian’s Work
https://lifeafterwork.zone
https://brianfeutz.com/
https://brianfeutz.medium.com/
 
Connect with Brian
https://twitter.com/BrianFeutz1
https://www.facebook.com/brian.feutz.16/
Email at Brian@BrianFeutz.com 
 

What if stress isn't the enemy we thought it was? Our guest today suggests that certain aspects of stress can actually be powerful motivators. But here's the catch: there's a sweet spot, and most of us tend to overshoot it.
 
Today I'm speaking with Dr. Stephen Sideroff. This is a conversation you will want to listen to multiple times, or at least have a notepad with you so you can jot down some notes. In fact, you're going to want to listen to this multiple times because it's packed with incredible information and things that I think are essentials in our lives.
 
Dr. Sideroff is an internationally recognized expert in psychology and resilience. Not only has he published groundbreaking research, but he has served as an associate professor at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine. Now, he's sharing his expertise in his new book, "The 9 Pillars of Resilience," offering insights into mastering stress, aging gracefully, and enhancing vitality.
 
In this episode, we discussed:
 
Why stress is the master hallmark of aging 
The power of confronting unfinished emotional business in Chapter X
How we can get past the discomfort of exploring our buried feelings
Discovering the starting point for challenging our inner critic 
Dr. Stephen Sideroff breaks down the nine pillars of resilience 
How our presence can impact each other unconsciously 
 
Connect with Dr. Stephen Sideroff  
The 9 Pillars of Resilience Book
 
Purpose: The Ultimate in “Use It or Lose It” on Psychology Today
 

How does one reach the pivotal moment that propels them into the next chapter of their life? For our guest today, that moment unfolded in a Starbucks, where Jeff Eamers stumbled upon a newspaper ad seeking volunteers for suicide prevention. Having battled his own demons for years, Jeff saw this not just as an opportunity, but as a calling.
 
In his past life, Jeff wore many hats—writer, director, producer, counselor—all while battling the tumultuous challenges of bipolar disorder. Now, he's found peace and purpose as a practicing psychotherapist and the voice behind the upcoming Three Moments in Time podcast. He lives in the California desert with his two dogs and 11 chickens.
 
Jeff's journey is one marked by resilience, vulnerability, and the unwavering determination to confront the darkest aspects of the human experience. But a word of caution: Jeff's story is unfiltered and may touch on themes of mental illness that could trigger some listeners.
 
We discussed:
 
The first hospitalization at 21 marked the onset of a series of mental health challenges for Jeff
How a major film opportunity brought Jeff from the advertising world to Los Angeles
Jeff reflects on the experience of navigating manic highs and depressive lows
Why he transitioned from Hollywood to suicide prevention counseling
How the sudden loss of his best friend served as a wake-up call 
Why Jeff decided to pursue a new academic journey at 55 
Jeff shares his understanding of the single most crucial factor in healing 
 
Connect with Jeff Mental health in the high desert: A Yucca Valley man, animal rescue and the open landscape via Desert Sun 
 
www.eamertherapy.com 
 

What could be more crucial as we enter Chapter X than knowing our purpose? Today, I’m happy to have Ian Chamandy on board. He’s developed a groundbreaking program aimed at helping people define their purpose. 
 
Ian is no stranger to purpose-driven work. As a founding partner of Blueprint Business Architecture, he's helped hundreds of companies define their unique essence in seven words or less. But Ian's mission goes beyond corporate boardrooms. He firmly believes that every single one of us has a unique purpose waiting to be discovered.
 
In this episode, Ian walks us through his method for defining purpose, showing us how it can transform not only our decision-making but also our personal fulfillment. Through stories and practical advice, he shines a light on the power of aligning our purpose with our values, talents, and aspirations.
 
We discussed:
 
The impact of a simple reminder Ian taped to the wall above his typewriter
How we can apply a key business principle to develop our own purpose
The magic of defining what makes you uniquely remarkable (in seven words or less)
Why discovering your purpose can help you make better decisions
Three things that defining your purpose will do as you transition into Chapter X
 
Connect with Ian Visit Purpose(U) at purposeu.co
 
Ian Chamandy on LinkedIn
 

Today, we're catching up with Richard Eisenberg, who embarked on his "unretirement" journey in 2022 after stepping away from his role as Managing Editor for Next Avenue.
 
Over the past two years, Richard has gracefully navigated this new chapter, balancing writing, mentoring, volunteering, and personal exploration alongside his wife. As he continues to carve out his path, he generously shares his insights and experiences with us once again.
 
I’m thrilled to reconnect with Richard and dive into his experiences, observations, and ongoing discoveries in Chapter X. From his insights to the latest reads and learnings, it’s a privilege to explore the valuable lessons he's discovered along the way.
 
In this episode, we discussed:
 
How unretirement looks today for Richard two years in
What has been the biggest obstacle after leaving his full-time job
How Richard and his wife are leaning into what’s important to them
The current topics on aging that Richard is exploring with Next Avenue
Exploring the ranges of legacies and impact you can leave behind
 
Links to Resources  
Read “Work, Retire, Repeat” by Teresa Ghilarducci
Read “Unretired” by Mark Walton
Listen to the Friends Talk Money podcast
Next Avenue
Read Richard's stories on Medicare for Fortune.com